The British Association of Rose Breeders
When the 1964 Plant Varieties and Seeds Act came in to force the first ornamentals scheme to be implemented was for roses. Swift organisation within the ornamentals sector in the UK meant that rose breeders were able to protect their new varieties under the new law.
The British Association of Rose Breeders (BARB) was formed in 1973 with the objective to encourage, improve and extend the introduction and growing of new Rose varieties under Plant Breeders' Rights by the best means that justly and conjointly advance the well-being of breeders, growers, users and the varieties themselves.
BARB is a non-profit making, unincorporated association, whose Members are breeders, or representatives of breeders, of vegetatively propagated ornamental plant varieties. As a trade association it represents its Members' interests to Government and Industry bodies nationally and internationally. It also provides an economic licensing, monitoring and royalty collection service to its Members and aims to promote the benefits of new varieties generically to its registered licensees in the nursery trade.
On behalf of its members BARB currently administers in excess of 750 protected rose varieties from some 35 different raisers of roses, including amateur breeders; it has on its database approximately 35 registered licensed growers. These Rose varieties are offered to the trade on an annual basis in the form of a product schedule (catalogue).
Maintenance and enforcement of Plant Breeders' Rights "on the ground" is undertaken by Field Officers who conduct regular visits to licensed growers to ensure that crop returns are accurately recorded.
UK Membership of BARB currently stands at 17 and a full-time general manager, Ian Kennedy, runs the business of the Secretariat. The Association is funded by a combination of membership subscriptions and an annual levy.
Further information is available from:
Tel: 01243-389532
Email: info@barbuk.org.uk